Research Reports

Ocean and coastal states around the world are increasingly seeking to better utilize and benefit from their ocean environments, which can be vast in comparison to their land areas. Conflicting human uses, a changing climate, and a desire to ensure long-term sustainability compound the challenge to grow a robust “blue economy.” Consequently, countries are turning to marine spatial planning as a comprehensive management tool to assess and organize present uses of their ocean environments and map for future uses.

Climate change has been the subject of considerable political controversy in the United States, and climate skepticism—or doubts about the basics of climate science—have not been uncommon in the public debate. At the same time, U.S. courts in several recent high-profile cases, including Juliana v. United States and City of Oakland v.

Building upon last month's fact sheets, we have released more updated numbers analyzing how much of the $16.67 billion has been spent in the Gulf, and how much still remains in NRDA, RESTORE, and NFWF. This month's materials include more detailed breakdowns and updates about the status of restoration project funding through each of the three main federal processes, as well as updated information on how the public can engage in these processes. Visit our publications page to find more resources.

On January 10, 2020, the Council on Environmental Quality published its proposal for a comprehensive rewrite of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations that govern how federal agencies identify, analyze, and mitigate for the anticipated environmental impacts of major federal actions. Comments are due on the proposal by March 10, 2020. This brief guide is in the nature of an issue-spotter to assist commenters and others in determining what changes have been proposed and how they may relate to familiar NEPA regulatory concepts.

Clearly defined and legally secure freshwater tenure rights are essential to Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ livelihoods and food security, as well as to countries’ efforts to achieve sustainable development priorities and ensure climate resilience. However, the extent of the legal recognition of these rights to water remains largely unknown and unmonitored.